The emerging role of anamorelin hydrochloride in the management of patients with cancer anorexia-cachexia

Abstract

Cancer cachexia affects many patients with advanced cancer. This multifactorial syndrome, which involves loss of muscle mass and body weight, profoundly affects patients’ physical functioning and quality of life. Pharmacologic interventions that target weight loss and also improve patient-reported measures are required. Anamorelin hydrochloride is an oral ghrelin receptor agonist for the treatment of cancer anorexia-cachexia that stimulates release of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1, and improves food intake and body weight. Phase II and III trials have demonstrated that anamorelin increases body muscle and fat composition, and improves patient-reported appetite and quality of life. Anamorelin shows promise as an anabolic agent with benefits maintained over time, without the virilizing side effects of other anabolic medications.

Keywords:

• anorexia
• cachexia
• controlled clinical trials
• ghrelin agonist
• lean body mass
• patient-reported measures

Financial & competing interests disclosure

R Skipworth has received research funding from Novartis. D Currow has participated as an unpaid advisory board member for Helsinn. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Editorial support and medical writing assistance was provided by J Franklin, PhD, CMPP (TRM Oncology, The Hague, The Netherlands), funded by Helsinn Healthcare SA (Lugano, Switzerland). The authors are fully responsible for all content and editorial decisions for this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

R Skipworth has received research funding from Novartis. D Currow has participated as an unpaid advisory board member for Helsinn. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.